text:
The ISCIP Analyst
Behind the Breaking News
Publication Series
Lecture Series
Editorial Digest Volume 3 Number 15 (October 21, 1998)
President meets security commanders
Russian Television (NTV, 1500 GMT, 8 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-281) broadcast footage from a Kremlin meeting between Yel'tsin and commanding officers from the military and security services. The apparent purpose of the meeting was twofold: to make assurances to the officers concerning the payment of back wages and to reassert presidential authority over the forces. According to an Interfax report (1949 GMT, 8 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-281), Yel'tsin reminded the commanders that the security organs "have traditionally been subordinated to the president and will always remain so."
The timing of the meeting is interesting as it followed upon the heels of the day of planned mass protests. While participation in the demonstrations fell far below projected estimates, it is somewhat disconcerting to find that the president felt the need to remind his law enforcement officials just who is their chief commanding officer.
Health issues resurface
In the wake of his truncated visit to Central Asia, President Yel'tsin's health has once again become subject to close scrutiny and concern. Perhaps most notable this time around in the presidential health watch is the determined effort by Yel'tsin and his staff to show him, not in seclusion and resting, but defying doctors' orders and working in the Kremlin. (See, for example, NTV, 1000 GMT, 14 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-287)
Despite assurances from the Kremlin staff and cabinet members, questions about Yel'tsin's fitness to serve out the duration of his term are sure to continue for the foreseeable future, or at least until the next Duma elections.
Primakov to supervise security services?
The efforts to form a government in the wake of August's devaluation and Chernomyrdin's failed nomination have resulted in a remarkable number of incorrect and speculative reports on the composition and duties of the new government. With this caveat in mind, I pass along a report from ITAR-TASS (World Service, 0720 GMT, 7 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-280) that Prime Minister Primakov distributed a list of duties and responsibilities of the prime minister and the deputies. Among Primakov's duties are the coordination of "matters related to military reform." He is also tasked with "ensuring the coordination of the work" of the MVD, FIS, FSB, Federal Border Guards, Ministry of Defense, the Federal Bodyguard Service and FAPSI. While the report noted that these were organizations that work "under the leadership of the president," several have been specifically subordinated to the president and administered by the presidential administration in the past.
Perhaps it was Primakov and not the mass protests that sparked Yel'tsin's review of his commanding officers?
Restructuring not to require major staff cuts
FSB Director Vladimir Putin, who has thus far retained his job despite persistent rumors of his dismissal, has announced that the presidential decree aimed at optimizing FSB performance will not result in substantial personnel reductions. "Insignificant cuts will be made among the support staff alone," Putin claims. (Interfax, 1353 GMT, 9 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-283)
by Susan J. Cavan
Russia denies alliance with Cyprus...but guarantees S-300 contract
Russian foreign ministry spokesman Vladimir Rakhmanin described as groundless, and virtually "provocative," the reports about the Russian defense minister allegedly sending to his Cyprus counterpart a letter proposing to institute "Russia's military alliance with the Republic of Cyprus."(ITAR-TASS, 1030 GMT, 6 Oct 98; FBIS-UMA-98-279) Despite the defense ministry's denial of any military alliance with Cyprus following a meeting with Cypriot Defense Minister Ioannis Omirou on 6 October, Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeev guaranteed the delivery of the S-300 missile system and the fulfillment of related contracts. When Sergeev was asked specifically about the repeated Turkish threats to prevent, by force if necessary, the delivery of the S-300 system to Cyprus, he highlighted the "premature" nature of any response but stated that Russia was "closely watching the situation, studying the negative newness it is acquiring, and elaborating corresponding measures." (ITAR-TASS, 1030 GMT, 6 Oct 98; FBIS-TAC-98-279)
Given the fact that Turkish authorities have repeatedly threatened to use force in order to prevent the delivery of the S-300s to Cyprus, Igor Sergeev's guarantee would form the basis of at least a short-term military alliance that would cover the term of the S-300s' delivery and related contracts.
Russia plays 'positive role' in international arena
Prime Minister Yevgeni Primakov stressed Russia's positive role in a multipolar world following a meeting with Yasir 'Arafat on 8 October. As NATO threats of airstrikes against Kosovo were still very real, Primakov used the briefing to highlight the positive, productive role his country is playing in the world community despite the difficult times which Russia is facing. He stated that Russia is "continuing to play an active role on the international arena." He told journalists that "Our (Russia's) role is positive, we do not confront anyone, and our role is aimed at reaching stability, resolving conflicts by peaceful means and establishing a just peace in various regions of the planet." (ITAR-TASS World Service, 1311 GMT, 8 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-281)
Maintains close relations with rogue states
Primakov's comments came on the heels of a Libyan-Russian Cooperation Committee meeting as well as Sudanese praise for Russian-Sudanese cooperation. During the second session of the Libyan-Russia joint committee convened in Tripoli on 7 October, the Russian delegation pointed out the need to boost cooperation in all fields between the two countries. The Russian delegation also delivered a message from President Boris Yel'tsin to Libyan leader Mu'ammar al-Qadhdhafi, "expressing a number of considerations about the situation concerning Libya and prospects for bilateral relations." (ITAR-TASS, 0651 GMT, 9 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-282, and Libyan Television Network, 1930 GMT, 7 Oct 98; FBIS-NES-98-280) Just two days prior to the Libyan-Russian contacts, the Sudanese ambassador to Russia, Izz ad-Din Hamid, hailed the continuing support being extended by Russia to Sudan. In an interview with the Russian daily Pravda, Hamid pointed out that the cooperation between Sudan and Russia began to increase in the past years, highlighting Russian economic assistance and the exchange of parliamentary delegations. (SUNA, 1845 GMT, 5 Oct 98; FBIS-AFR-98-280)
Mercenaries ready for Kosovo
Vladimir Litvienko, captain of the Kuban Cossack host, told Komsomol'skaya pravda of the imminent formation of a battalion of Cossack volunteers prepared to go to Yugoslavia at once, if required. And they would be making a selfless gesture, following their hearts, and not doing it for money, which the Serbs do not have anyway. "They are not the greenhorns that were dispatched to Chechnya," Vladimir Petrovich said, "They are all men -- military professionals with combat experience in Abkhazia and the Dniester Region, and many of them have been to Yugoslavia before, during the Bosnian war." Every day, reportedly, Cossacks in various villages and Krasnodar itself call the captain, asking to be sent to help the Serbs. There are several thousand of them now. All that is needed now, according to Litvienko, is for the relevant bodies not to place any obstacles in the way of enthusiasts wishing to help out their Slav brothers. Ideally these agencies should help organize the volunteers' dispatch to Kosovo. "After all, that was the case during the first volunteer recruitment," the captain explained, although he did not specify which "relevant bodies" he meant. (Komsomol'skaya pravda, 13 Oct 98, p. 2; FBIS-SOV-98-286)
Belligerent to bizarre, Moscow 'threatens' NATO
From a Cossack call to arms to a change in the security balance in Europe, the threat of NATO airstrikes against Serbian forces in Kosovo has evoked an endless stream of threats and rhetoric from Moscow. Colonel General Leonid Ivashov, head of the Russian defense ministry's main directorate for international military cooperation, told journalists on 13 October that a NATO-led military action in the Balkans would create a new military and strategic situation in Europe. General Ivashov indicated that a NATO strike against Serbian forces could result in a negation of the arms embargo against Serbia, and in what Ivashov referred to as "full scale military cooperation." (ITAR-TASS, 10 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-283, and ITAR-TASS World Service, 13 Oct 98; FBIS-UMA-98-286). Although several organizations in Russia indicated that they were willing to send Slav mercenaries to Serbia, nullifying the existing arms embargo is the most credible and perhaps most serious threat to Balkan security emanating from Moscow. It appeared as though every member of the Duma had his/her own version of a threat against the West last week but few if any had a bite to accompany their bark. The predominant themes were a Duma delay, still further, of START-II ratification and dissolution of the NATO-Russia treaty. Although these threats may sound some alarms, they were primarily voiced for local consumption and would serve only to damage Russian security interests in the Balkans and Europe.
A Balkan Iraq-Kosovo victory for Russia
Drawing a direct parallel to the Russian role in averting US-led military action against Iraq earlier this year, Primakov took credit for "easing the situation in Kosovo." Proclaiming Russian victory in an address to the Federation Council on 14 October, Primakov stated, "you simply (need to) look at how Russia's position is reckoned with in the world. This was the case during the Iraqi crisis, and this is the case now in Kosovo." Primakov stressed the role that the countless "threats" directed against NATO from Moscow played in the resolution of the Balkan crisis when he stated that "we openly declared that our attitude to NATO and our orientation would be considerably changed if Yugoslavia was attacked. And this was the crucial argument which played its role. Obviously, there will be no strike." (ITAR-TASS World Service, 0715 GMT, 14 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-287)
Ivanov downplays NATO, stresses role of OSCE
During a press briefing on 13 October, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, stressing one of the main themes of his predecessor Yevgeni Primakov, emphasized the role that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) would play in securing peace in Kosovo. While avoiding any talk of NATO, Ivanov said that OSCE observers would be verifying the safety and security of the ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. He also noted that the OSCE role in Kosovo was a Russian proposal; "the idea of sending this mission came from Russia." (ITAR-TASS World Service, 1631 GMT, 13 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-286)
Although the situation in Kosovo is far from resolved, the fact that NATO airstrikes have been avoided, for now, plays out as a Russian diplomatic success. This success, coupled with the enhanced role of the OSCE in Balkan security, serves to further the Russian position that the OSCE should play the lead role in security in Europe and NATO should be subordinate to the OSCE.
by John McDonough
* * *
Primakov discusses center-regional relations
On NTV's "Big Money" program, Prime Minister Yevgeni Primakov suggested changes in the way the center and the regions relate to each other. In return for greater power for the governors both in Moscow and at home, the regions would ensure greater financial transparency. It was not immediately clear how this would be accomplished. Primakov also suggested that the regions might be able to boost their finances by gaining access to state holdings in local companies. Such a move would further the process of political and economic decentralization, but it might also open up new portions of the economy to graft by local power bosses.
Recognizing that the Russian economy cannot function without continued commercial interchange, Primakov also signed a government decree approving proposals by the finance ministry, agriculture and food ministry, commercial Agroprombank and investment Alfa Bank, to allow some portion of the debts owed by the regions to the center to be paid by deliveries of food and other raw materials. The decree stipulates that regional debts on 1997 loans from a special agriculture credit fund can be partially paid with grain, meat, sugar, vegetable oil and dairy product deliveries to the government's food bank. (ITAR-TASS, 0923 GMT, 3 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-276)
The regions and center continue to scramble to effect some measure of relief for the citizens of the new Russia. And though the thought of creating a barter economy might seem to be a giant step backward in Russia's progression to a modern, capitalist society, it might be preferable to a massive issuance of new rubles and the roaring inflation this implies. In general, barter payments are denominated, as necessary, in pre-devaluation ruble rates, and until the ruble stabilizes, in-kind commercial exchange will continue. (NTV, 0435 GMT, 30 Sep 98; FBIS-SOV-98-273)
Boris Nemtsov tells why he was fired, discusses future
In a lengthy interview, Nemtsov explains why he was sacked. Apparently his anti-corruption campaign began to pinch the interests of the "oligarchs" who in turn pinched Yel'tsin and other decision-makers. Nemtsov admits three mistakes: he underestimated the power of the powerful, and he did not foresee the depth of the resistance in the bureaucracy to reforms. They resented interference in their individual fiefdoms. For example, there was much grousing when Nemtsov required bureaucrats to drive domestic automobiles. Finally, Nemtsov admits that a "more serious blunder" was his inability to explain to the citizens what he was doing. (Obshchaya gazeta, 1-7 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-287)
Nemtsov's admissions seem to support those who predicted that the idealistic ex-governor of Nizhny Novgorod would find it difficult to effect real change in Moscow given the Byzantine nature of its politics. However, it should be underscored that Nemtsov ultimately failed because the president ceased to back him, as he makes clear in this interview. This also suggests that Nemtsov relied too much on Yel'tsin's largesse and was unable, or did not see it as necessary, to construct a broad enough power base to withstand the inevitable onslaught of those who were at the unpleasant end of his reforms and who also had the president's ear.
Nemtsov is also standing for election to the Duma sometime in the near future, and he is constructing a center-right political bloc. Yel'tsin recently appointed him to the unpaid position of deputy chairman of the Council for Local Government. His duties are to liaise with other regions. (ITAR-TASS World Service, 2220 GMT, 30 Sep 98; FBIS-SOV-98-274)
7 October draws fewer protestors than predicted
Russia's Ministry of Internal Affairs claimed that, as of 10:30 a.m. Moscow time, some 62,000 people were taking part in protests in eastern Russia and Siberia rather than the 225,000 predicted. The low turnout happened across the country as many people took advantage of the day as an unexpected but welcome holiday from work. (ITAR-TASS World Service, 0835 GMT, 7 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-280)
The seeming lack of popular interest in the nationwide demonstration can be understood, among other things, to be a response to a lack of faith in the government to fix the mess it created.
Nizhny Novgorod finally elects a mayor
Yuri Lebedev has won the mayoral election in Nizhny Novgorod. Lebedev received more than 44 percent of the votes versus the 41 percent returned to his rival, the lawyer Dmitri Bednyakov. A total of 12.5 percent voted against both candidates.
The new mayor, age 47, was born in Nizhny Novgorod, worked as a history teacher, headed the Shakhunya District administration, and served as deputy governor and acting governor of Nizhny Novgorod Region. For about a year, until April 1998, he was President Yel'tsin's representative in the Nizhny Novgorod Region. He was removed from the post as a sign of presidential displeasure in response to the fiasco of the mayoral election on 29 March 1998. That election was won by Andrei Klimentev, but the result was declared invalid. (ITAR-TASS World Service, 2143 GMT, 11 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-284) [ISCIP Note: for further information on the history of the saga surrounding the mayorship in Nizhny Novgorod, see "Jailed Nizhny Novgorod mayor registered for city election," Editorial Digest - Domestic Issues and Legislative Branch, Vol. 3, No. 12, 2 September 1998.]
Duma is considering the third charge against Yel'tsin
The commission, set up by the Communist-dominated lower house of parliament, has produced two charges against Yel'tsin--the signing of the Belovezhie agreements which dissolved the Soviet Union, and the use of force against the Supreme Soviet (parliament) in October 1993.
A third charge being debated accuses the president of starting the war in Chechnya in late 1994. "We have not yet reached a draft conclusion," commission chairman Vadim Filimonov said, adding its members differ on how to assess Yel'tsin's actions. "All commission members agree that the president committed an abuse of power, but as for a homicide charge, this issue was not backed," Filimonov said. (ITAR-TASS, 1055 GMT, 12 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-285)
by Michael DeMar Thurman
Russia's CFE inspection report card--two A's
The Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty, signed in Paris in 1990 and subsequently amended at Russia's request, subjects the total number of personnel of land-based and air forces on the continent, armaments and military equipment to reduction. The treaty's basic goal is to achieve a safe and stable balance of conventional armed forces in Europe. In early October, two multinational inspections were conducted to check armaments and military equipment information which the Russian side declared as of January 1998. These teams also checked how Russia is fulfilling its commitments under the CFE Treaty at these facilities.
From 29 September to 2 October, British military experts inspected a number of military facilities in the Moscow Military District, including air and motorized infantry units near Tver. (ITAR-TASS, 1525 GMT, 2 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-275) A week later, Dutch experts finalized an inspection of military sites in the Russian Leningrad region. The inspectors visited motorized infantry units stationed near Kamenka for two days. (ITAR-TASS, 1930 GMT, 9 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-283) Both inspections revealed no violations of the CFE Treaty. Of course, it is interesting that the results of these inspections were relayed to the press by an official from the Russian defense ministry -- not from the British or Dutch inspectors. On the slim chance conflicting results arise in the coming weeks, a follow-up will be carried in the next Editorial Digest.
The boxes should have been marked 'Contents not Authorized for Resale'
On 12 October, customs officials stopped a railroad train loaded with ammunition and weapons in the city of Osh in southern Kyrgyzstan. Officially listed as humanitarian aid, the cargo had originated in Iran, was headed for Tajikistan and from there was due for delivery by truck convoys to northeastern Afghanistan. That Afghan area is controlled by warlord Ahmad Shah Mas'ud, who fights against the Taliban. The train's 16 cars were found to be chock-full of essential humanitarian items such as Grad missiles, artillery shells, machine gun ammunition, antitank and land mines, infantry grenades and other humanitarian combat items, some of them Russian-made. Four other cars of the same train are unaccounted for--probably the ones carrying bread and milk. Kyrgyzstan's State Security Ministry, which took over the investigation from the Customs Inspectorate, seems to be keeping the affair under wraps.
It is an interesting coincidence that the story broke on the day when Russian President Boris Yel'tsin was in Tashkent to conclude a military cooperation agreement with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. That tripartite alliance is directed against "Islamic extremism," and the Taliban is one target. (Jamestown Foundation Monitor, 15 Oct 98) Russian officials should be safe denying involvement in the sale of arms to Afghanistan this time, and I'm sure they were as surprised as I was to hear that any Russian-made humanitarian items were emanating from Iran. Where could they have come from?
Arms industry hopes that the sum of the 'parts' is greater than the whole
In this period of declining sales of new arms systems, Russian arms exporters appear increasingly willing to broker more innovative arrangements to remain competitive. This "keep your foot in the door" mentality for a licensing agreement would make even Willie Loman proud, as preparations have been completed for the licensed production of Su-27SK fighters in China. Under this agreement, Chinese engineers will assemble the first planes at the Shenyang aircraft-building plant from parts supplied by the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft-Building Society (the chief Russian producer of Su-27SK fighters). As is customary in the world licensing practice, the first Su-27SK planes will be assembled with the help of Russian specialists from ready-made parts, assemblies, and systems. According to the issued license, China plans to build up to 200 Su-27SK fighters. Parts for three planes have been delivered to Shenyang already this year. (ITAR-TASS, 1306 GMT, 2 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-275)
The Komsomolsk-on-Amur plant has provided the Chinese with the necessary blueprints and equipment for assembling Su-27SK planes. According to some reports, the total cost of the provided technologies is estimated at $150 million. The Russian plant is to deliver later approximately 30 percent of all the completing parts for the 200 Chinese Su-27SK planes. The most significant part of the contract is that the Russian side will also deliver AL-31F aircraft engines and radio-electronic equipment sets for all the assembled Su-27SK planes. This becomes the de facto enforcer of the export ban portion of the contract.
The contract should be very profitable for the Russian aircraft-building industry. Its implementation will guarantee orders to the Russians for many years to come. At the same time, the contract specifically stipulates that any modifications in the Su-27SK fighter made in Shenyang can be effected only with the consent of the Russian side. This condition will remain in force not only during the serial production of Su-27SK planes in China, but also during the entire period of their use in the Chinese Air Force. (ITAR-TASS, 1306 GMT, 2 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-275)
Deals such as this may be exactly what the Russian arms export industry needs -- especially with a customer such as China. It is doubtful China will have the technological capability to produce quality weapons systems and platforms in the foreseeable future and Russia should continue to court this business partner to the maximum extent possible. Considering the depressed state of the Russian economy and the minimal sales over the past four or five years, long-term deals such as this may be the only way these Russian salesmen can avoid ending up like Willie Loman.
What's a '0' between friends -- or foes?
The Khasan Customs House post (located at the junction of three state borders: China, North Korea, and Russia) intercepted five MI-8 military helicopters during an attempt to smuggle them to North Korea. The helicopters were heading to the border from Khabarovsk Krai. During inspection, the helicopters were found to contain "Friend or Foe" identification equipment. It turned out that the accompanying documents lacked the signature of the chairman of the Russian Army General Staff Committee for Military Policy and the stamp of the Moscow Board of Trade through which the Arden firm had concluded the deal. The presence on board the helicopters of the "Friend or Foe" identification equipment, which is a military secret, is such a serious incident that Prime Minister Yevgeni Primakov was immediately notified about it. (NTV, 1200 GMT, 7 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-282) Lucky for the Russian Federation they have such brilliant custom officers! It was reported that the customs officers' suspicion was aroused by the low price stated in the declaration -- just $20,000 -- whereas their market price is about $300,000 apiece. (NTV, 1200 GMT, 7 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-282) I guess that means if the unsigned, official documents carried a price of $300,000 on the "smuggled helicopters" line, the customs officers would have let them pass. Hopefully, smugglers won't check their "Smuggler's Price Book" before attempting to transport those nuclear-tipped, Topol-Ms.
Warning: Don't 'make' all your warheads in one basket
At a news conference on 6 October, First Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Maslyukov called for, among other things, construction of 35-45 new Topol-M missiles every year starting in 2000 and several new submarines for the Navy. Maslyukov said that these systems are necessary because existing weaponry is aging and will start to be deactivated within two or three years. (RFE/RL Newsline, 8 Oct 98) Earlier reports stated the annual Topol-M production rate would be a bit less, 31, starting in 2000. (Jamestown Foundation Monitor, 17 Sep 98) Even the lesser figure represents a significant portion of a meager defense budget. According to RFE/RL, military analyst Pavel Felgengauer critiqued Maslyukov's proposals as unrealistic. His argument was based on the premise that nuclear deterrence could be assured for Russia with much fewer warheads than the 35-40 being proposed annually. He added that the "Russian military-industrial complex can survive only as a small, separate, narrowly specialized sector. If [Russia] attempts to continue the Soviet tradition of combining the development and production of TV sets and teleguidance for aviation bombs at the same firm, then televisions will spontaneously explode as they used to and half the bombs will miss their target." (RFE/RL Newsline, 8 Oct 98)
It is difficult to analyze the Russian defense budget and determine exactly where all the funds are (or are not) going. However, it is pretty safe to say that there aren't enough funds to cover all the training, maintenance, construction and equipping necessary to maintain the Russian military in a high state of readiness. It is also safe to say that if a higher percentage of the available funds are earmarked for Topol-M missiles, then there will be even fewer funds available for readiness programs and, without some other change, this will spell disaster. Though his number may need to be increased by an order of magnitude or two, I would have to agree with Felgengauer's prospect for the future when he said, "...if all of Russia's resources are used on nuclear deterrent forces, then conventional forces will suffer and Russia will be vulnerable to attack by a thousand well-trained guerrillas." (RFE/RL Newsline, 8 Oct 98)
by Michael Reardon
* * *
United on Kosovo
Across the CIS, member states are adopting a united stance on Kosovo. Member states, led by Ukraine and Belarus, have voiced support for a diplomatic solution to the problems in Kosovo and have opposed the use of force against Yugoslavia. This stance essentially echoes Russia's, which has been opposed to NATO-led air strikes against Yugoslavia. (Tanjung, 1358 GMT, 12 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-285)
The CIS responds to the southern threat
At a recent bilateral meeting, Uzbek President Islam Karimov and Boris Yel'tsin agreed that the Afghan situation presents a direct and serious threat to the southern borders of the CIS. As a result, the presidents pledged to "closely interact on bilateral and multilateral levels and actively participate in the U.N. efforts aiming to move the Afghan armed conflict into the vein of peaceful political decisions acceptable to all Afghans." The two further pledged to pursue the issue within the CIS. (ITAR-TASS, 0818 GMT, 12 Oct 98; FBIS-UMA-98-285) This came just days after the commander of CIS Peacekeeping Forces in Tajikistan, Nikolai Pugachev, stressed that the threat from Afghanistan's Taliban shouldn't be dismissed since they will hardly "abandon the idea of aggression, with Tajikistan as their next target." (Radio Rossii, 0900 GMT, 10 Oct 98; FBIS-UMA-98-283) CIS peacekeepers in Tajikistan and the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) have devoted a significant portion of their time to controlling drug trafficking and the stream of political asylum seekers attempting to enter Tajikistan. (ITAR-TASS, 1319 GMT, 1 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-275)
by Sarah K. Miller
A dash of bribery and a pinch of threats save the cabinet ... for now
The cabinet of ministers, led by Prime Minister Valeriy Pustovoytenko, survived a no- confidence vote by the Communist-dominated Supreme Council on 13 October. The measure, which needed 226 votes in favor to pass, fell 23 votes short. (RFE/RL Newsline, 14 Oct 98) A vote of no confidence would have forced the resignation of Pustovoytenko, but would not have affected President Leonid Kuchma, who is elected by popular vote.
The measure was backed by the Communist, Socialist and Hromada parties, which seemed to have the upper hand in the power struggle until shortly before the vote. The tide began shifting, however, when Pustovoytenko and Kuchma signaled their willingness to sacrifice "certain" unnamed ministers, and suggested that cabinet posts would be offered to parties who supported the government. Kuchma then announced that he would name Communist Party leader Pyotr Symonenko prime minister if the council voted out the current government. (Interfax, 1655 GMT, 12 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-285) The possible cabinet posts and the not-so-appealing prospect of a parliament controlled by the Communist Party were apparently enough to bring together a coalition of seven parties in support of the current government. Interestingly, the coalition included the Peasant Party, which is led by Supreme Council Speaker Oleksandr Tkachenko, and which is ideologically aligned with the Communists on many issues.
The reward is coming, however. One day later, on 14 October, Kuchma announced that he soon would reshuffle the government, and is in the process of consulting with "various parliamentary groups to find professionals." The president also said he is increasing his efforts to facilitate the formation of a coalition that will represent a parliamentary majority. (Interfax, 1233 GMT, 14 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-287)
Meanwhile, Symonenko, whom Kuchma threatened to name prime minister, said Communists are ready to "shoulder all the responsibility" of the government. (RFE/RL Newsline, 16 Oct 98) Unfortunately, they're not invited ... this year.
The possibility that Kuchma can bring together a coalition as a check against the three leftist parties is doubtful, but the chances that Pustovoytenko would survive this no-confidence vote were also slim. Just one month ago, most members of parliament reportedly believed that the government would fall. In fact, Oleksandr Turchinov, leader of the Hromada Party, told reporters on 16 September that he had a commitment to support the no-confidence motion from 230 MPs. (IT-TASS, 0930 GMT, 16 Sep 98; FBIS-SOV-98-259) Both Kuchma and Pustovoytenko have so far shown themselves able to straddle delicately the gap between the necessary economic reforms championed by the West, and the pressures of a left-leaning, reactionary parliament. The situation is, however, similar in many ways to that found in Russia at the height of President Boris Yel'tsin's power, with one or two men standing in the way of a return to Soviet-style policy. For now, Supreme Council Speaker Tkachenko seems to understand that presenting at least the appearance of a united government is of utmost importance in the current crisis. The parliament, however, remains on the verge of devolving into a mirror image of the Russian Duma.
Debate over the fiscal year 1999 budget will begin in earnest during the next month. Kuchma has proposed an austere budget supported by the IMF, while the parliament has asked him to reduce the cuts found in the budget. When the debate is over, it should be much clearer in which direction the parliament will lead Ukraine.
All for one and one for all
The four GUAM countries -- Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova -- are increasing their lobbying efforts for development of a "multi-option pipeline system to ship Caspian fuel." The countries released a joint statement on 6 October after a meeting at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington. The meeting included the Ukrainian, Moldovan, and Georgian prime ministers, as well as a senior presidential advisor from Azerbaijan. All were in Washington for the annual meeting of the World Bank. The statement outlined several major goals of the organization, including the pipeline, development of a "Eurasian transport corridor," and efforts to deal with "growing challenges and threats to global and regional stability and security." (Interfax, 1059 GMT, 6 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-279) During the World Bank meeting, US Energy Secretary William Richardson announced his support for the Caspian oil pipeline, which would transport oil from Azerbaijan, through Georgia, Ukraine and Poland to Western markets. (Jamestown Foundation Monitor, 7 Oct 98) The leaders did not comment, however, on recent reports that, in preparation for the pipeline, the GUAM countries have agreed to establish a joint battalion of peacekeepers to be deployed as needed in the Abkhazia and Karabakh regions. (For background, see Ukrayina Moloda, 17 Sep 98, p. 5; FBIS- SOV-98-278)
I couldn't afford to buy anything even if you paid me...
Prime Minister Pustovoytenko said last week that the government has been unable to reduce the volume of unpaid salaries to state workers, and said the state budget now owes $935 million in back wages and social benefits. (RFE/RL Newsline, 14 Oct 98) The country now has only $1 billion in currency reserves at the most. Meanwhile, the official inflation rate for the first nine months of the year was 6.1 percent, while the value of the hryvnya has fallen 79 percent during that same period. (Interfax, 0845 GMT, 13 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-286)
President Alyaksandr Lukashenka lashed out this week at several countries of Central Europe for not uniting in support of "our Slavic brothers," the Serbians. Bulgaria and Rumania received the brunt of his wrath for "conspiracy to the crimes being prepared at the Balkans." He was "shocked," he said, shocked. "Our Slav unity is sacred. Suddenly, it is all betrayed, stomped out," he cried. He warned that his "attitude" toward these states "has morally changed." Belarus, he said, would "make pertinent conclusions with regard to ... relations with these countries." (Interfax, 1213 GMT, 13 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-286) Curiously, these statements had little effect on the policies of the Central European countries, which granted NATO permission to overfly their countries for airstrikes against Serbia.
Meanwhile, Lukashenka offered "modern arms to combat both missiles and aircraft" to Serbia, and set up a headquarters to recruit "volunteers with various military qualifications, in order to provide military support for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia." (Interfax, 1414 GMT, 9 Oct 98; FBIS-UMA-98-282, and Belapan, 1550 GMT, 9 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-282)
At least we still have each other
Just one month after Russian Prime Minister Primakov said, "We will do everything to ensure that the union becomes stronger" between Russia and Belarus (ITAR-TASS, 1137 GMT, 30 Sep 98; FBIS-SOV-98-273), the Russian Duma has ratified two military agreements that create a legal framework for cooperation between the military forces of the two countries. Most importantly, the treaty on "regional security" details the guidelines for "forming, controlling and training an armed forces group for ensuring the two countries' security." Belarus has already ratified these agreements. (Interfax, 1621 GMT, 2 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-275, and ITAR-TASS World Service, 0804 GMT, 2 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-275)
Drozdy, chapter 10
As diplomats continue to stay away from Minsk after being forcibly evicted from the Drozdy diplomatic compound, President Lukashenka recently unveiled a new reason why the evictions were necessary. Lukashenka originally said that the compound needed renovations. Then he said he needed more room for his presidential property. Now, it seems that certain unnamed foreigners were planning to assassinate Lukashenka, and their base of operation was Drozdy. Lukashenka gave an interview on 6 October and ominously explained, "It is probably too early to talk about this, but the president's life hung by a thread, ... and that crime, unfortunately, had been prepared a few steps from where we are standing now." The correspondent reporting this story on the state-run BTK Television Network added "By the way, the site where Alyaksandr Lukashenka was answering this question is situated not far from the famous Drazdy.... It looks as though not everything is so simple in the Drazdy issue." Indeed. (BKT Television Network, 1800 GMT, 6 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-282, and Jamestown Foundation Monitor, 7 Oct 98)
It's going to be a long, hard winter
The Moldovan government this week turned over a portion of its gas distribution system to the Russian gas monopoly Gazprom as partial payment for debts totaling over $600 million. At the same time, the government reportedly issued $90 million in state obligations to Gazprom, with a 7.5 percent annual interest rate. The actions came after Gazprom reduced service to Moldova by 50 percent and threatened to eliminate service completely by the end of November.
The IMF, which has been holding back on extending loans to the country, has criticized the state obligations plan for its negative effect on the country's external debt. Meanwhile, Gazprom will reportedly receive a 51-percent share of the gas distribution system. Moldova will retain 35 percent, and the breakaway republic of Transdniestr, which is responsible for two-thirds of the entire Gazprom debt, will receive a 14-percent share. There was no explanation as to why Moldova was unable reach a deal with Gazprom similar to those reached by Belarus and Ukraine. Both countries agreed to repay their debts with goods and/or services. (Jamestown Foundation Monitor, 8 and 16 Oct 98)
With this agreement, Moldova has, in effect, placed a leash around its own neck. Gazprom, which is heavily tied into the Russian government, and Transdniestr, which wants to be heavily tied into the Russian government, now control the only gas distribution
system in Moldova. The only question is, when and how will the leash be pulled?
Speaking of Transdniestr ...
The latest round of talks between Moldova and representatives of the Dniestr Region have been postponed indefinitely. It is unclear why the two sides were unable to meet. (ITAR-TASS, 0950 GMT, 1 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-274) Moldova has announced, however, that it is pulling out one peacekeeping platoon (82 men) from the Dniestr area. The troop removal is the first following the 20 March Odessa agreement, in which Moldova and Transdniestr agreed to reduce their peacekeeping troops by 200 men each. The state-run press wrote, "The Moldovan side expressed hope the initiative would be followed by the Dniestr side."(Infotag, 1930 GMT, 12 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-285) There has been no comment from Dniestr, and it would appear that, given the strong current political position of the region, none will be quickly forthcoming. The Odessa agreement makes no provision for a reduction in Russian peacekeeping forces.
by Tammy Lynch
Concerning the September-October 1993 coup attempt
Dmitri Volkogonov's notes dated 31 August 93:
A few days ago, on 24 August, I hosted a visit by members of the American delegation which was looking into the question of Americans who had disappeared in the Soviet Union. After the discussion, Colonel Par and another American diplomat asked to hold a short confidential meeting.
January presidential elections sanctioned by parliament
In spite of all his previous assertions to the contrary, President Nazarbaev will indeed stand in a presidential election one year before his term of office was officially expected to end. On 8 October, in a special joint session of both chambers of Kazakhstan's parliament, legislators passed a resolution calling for new presidential elections to be held in approximately three months, on 10 January 1999. (Kazakh Radio First Program Network, 0700 GMT, 8 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-281)
The Kazakh parliament's decision to hold early presidential elections is generally viewed as a response to President Nazarbaev's 30 September State of the Nation Address, in which he called for a number of reforms in electoral procedure, governmental power distribution, anti-corruption measures, press freedoms, and government support for women's civil rights. Among the most significant of his proposals for government reform were: the suggestion to add ten seats to the Majlis (the lower chamber of the Kazakh parliament), to be filled based on proportional representation; to abolish the requirement of a 50-percent turnout of eligible voters in order for election results to be deemed valid (a requirement which dates back to Soviet times); to abolish the 204,000 tenge (over US$2,500 ) fee which candidates in parliamentary elections are currently required to pay in order to obtain a place on the ballot (Agence France-Presse, 1415 GMT, 30 Sep 98; nexis); to eliminate the president's role as chief of the Supreme Judicial Council (Kazakhstan's highest court); to create a commission for women's issues and to increase the number of women serving on all state bodies; to establish a ministry of state revenues to oversee tax collection and customs inspection; to reduce the size of government structures; to redefine government ministers' powers, as well as the degree of their accountability for the success or failure of their ministries' work; and to hold the prime minister directly responsible for the ministers' rate of achievement. (Kazakh Television First Channel, 0317 GMT, 30 Sep 98; The British Broadcasting Corporation, 3 Oct 98/nexis)
The most surprising, and oddly enough, the most contentious, change that President Nazarbaev called for was his proposal to transfer a portion of his powers to the prime minister and to the parliament. He stated that the prime minister should be granted a certain amount of authority in the approval or discharge of government ministers (currently, only the president has this authority), and that parliament be given the right to draft constitutional amendments, provided that 80 percent of the deputies vote in favor of the proposed amendments. (Agence France-Presse, 1415 GMT, 30 Sep 98; nexis) Far from hailing the president's suggestions to enlarge their powers, however, parliamentary deputies rejected them and then issued their own demands to the president. In addition to calling for early presidential elections, MPs also proposed increasing the terms of office for the president (from five to seven years), for senators (from five to six years), and for Majlis deputies (from four to five years), as well as introducing a change in the minimum age requirement for presidential candidates (from 35 to 40 years of age). The parliament voted to abolish the maximum retirement age for the president, which had previously been set at 65. President Nazarbaev is presently 58; by 2006, when the next presidential term of office comes to an end, he will have turned 65. (Agence France-Presse, 1210 GMT, 8 Oct 98; nexis)
This rather odd tug-of-war between President Nazarbaev and the parliament is generally considered to be simply a tacit agreement to enlarge slightly each side's authority. In return for the power to propose constitutional amendments, parliament will permit the president to extend his term of office into the 21st century, by giving the opposition parties so little time to organize their own presidential campaigns that President Nazarbaev's reelection is virtually assured. A number of the most prominent opposition members (e.g., Petr Svoik, Akezhan Qazhygeldin) have also been the subjects of vigorous smear campaigns by the government. The rest of the reforms called for by President Nazarbaev could be viewed as his first campaign promises, particularly his promises to ensure the supply of heat and electricity to Kazakh citizens, to subsidize partially Kazakh farmers by buying one million tons of grain from them at "fair" prices (current world prices are low) and to set aside 25 billion tenge of the state budget for paying wages, pensions, and creating new jobs. (Agence France-Presse, 1415 GMT, 30 Sep 98; nexis) Whether the rest of his proposals turn out to be little more than window dressing to boost his credibility in the eyes of both his domestic and foreign critics remains to be seen.
Wheat shortage expected; government looks for international aid
The Kyrgyz government appealed to international relief organizations to donate 20,000-30,000 tons of wheat. Due to an overly cold spring, Kyrgyzstan's grain harvest is expected to be at least 60,000 tons short of last year's totals. A second reason for the anticipated wheat shortage is the fact that many farmers have apparently given up grain cultivation in order to produce fruits and vegetables instead. (Interfax, 0859 GMT, 30 Sep 98; FBIS-SOV-98-273)
Large coal deposits found in the southeast
Geologists from the city of Osh have now discovered two large coal deposits in Kyrgyzstan's southeastern districts, not far from the Uzbek border. Both deposits are located in the Turkiston-Alai Ridge where prospecting is being conducted at the request of the Kyzylkiya Komur joint-stock company and other, smaller businesses. The most recently discovered coal deposit in Chon-Alai District is approximately 9-20 meters below the earth's surface, and is 16-17 meters wide. (Vecherniy Bishkek, 10 Sep 98, p. 5; FBIS-SOV-98-275)
Foreign ministry refutes allegation of Taliban POWs on Tajik territory
On 29 September, Tajikistan's foreign ministry issued a statement to the press in which it firmly denied a Pakistani newspaper's recent charge that approximately 80 prisoners of war from the Taliban's forces are being held in Tajikistan. The Pakistani newspaper alleged that Northern Alliance General Ahmad Shah Mas'ud had moved a group of prisoners whom he had captured from the Taliban to the Tajik city of Kulob. Tajikistan's foreign ministry rejected this accusation as misinformation intended to portray the Tajik government as guilty of meddling in Afghanistan's internal affairs by supporting one of the groups involved in the current Afghan conflict. The foreign ministry statement also emphasized the Tajik government's desire for a peaceful settlement of the Afghan conflict and its oft-repeated calls for the cessation of outside interference in Afghanistan's domestic affairs. (ITAR-TASS, 1650 GMT, 29 Sep 98; FBIS-SOV-98-272)
Police station bombed in center of Dushanbe
At 11:25 a.m. local time on 1 October, a package carrying an explosive device was thrown out of a car window at the Dushanbe city police department, located in the center of town. According to investigative experts, a bomb containing the equivalent of 500-600 grams of TNT had earlier been placed underground, outside the police department building. No one was injured in the blast, but the building incurred a fair amount of damage. No information was available about the assailants' identities at the time of the report. (Interfax, 0749 GMT, 1 Oct 98, and ITAR-TASS, 0748 GMT, 1 Oct 98; FBIS-TOT-98-274)
Government, UTO issue ultimatum to illegal armed groups
On 1 October the Tajik government and the United Tajik Opposition (UTO) leadership released a joint statement in which they offered those UTO forces and independent militia groups who have so far refused to disarm one final opportunity to relinquish their weapons and cease their attacks against civilian populations. The members of these illegal armed groups were given one week in which to disarm. All those who complied with this deadline were provided security guarantees and promised exemption from prosecution. Those who refused to meet this deadline would be subject to forcible disarmament in a joint government-UTO operation. Two militia leaders were singled out in the statement as being responsible for the majority of crimes: Saidmukhtor Yorov and Rawshan Ghafurov, who were both defined as renegades, unaffiliated with either the Tajik government or with the UTO. (Radio Tajikistan First Channel Network, 1200 GMT, 1 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-274)
In a later news conference on an Iranian radio program, UTO Chairman Said Abdullo Nuri provided a few additional details about militia leader Saidmukhtor Yorov. Mr. Nuri stated that Yorov's troops had agreed to serve under UTO Commander Umar earlier in the disarmament process, but had then refused to accompany Commander Umar to another camp. It was at this point that the UTO leadership expelled Yorov's men from its ranks. (Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1600 GMT, 6 Oct 98; FBIS-UMA-98-280)
IMF, World Bank have reconfirmed their commitment to aid Tajikistan
Tajikistan's presidential press service informed ITAR-TASS on 7 October that high-level representatives from both the IMF and the World Bank have reassured the Tajik government that they are fully committed to helping the country implement economic reforms. The Tajik government has launched a three-year economic development program, which the IMF and the World Bank have pledged to support with US$340 million. Tajikistan's National Bank has already received the first tranches of these funds. (ITAR-TASS, 1921 GMT, 7 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-280)
No success in debt negotiations with Ukraine
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Anatoli Golubchenko was in Ashgabat on 30 September, to hand President Niazov the Ukrainian president's proposals for settling at least a part of Ukraine's $704 million gas debt. Due to the effects of Russia's financial crisis, the Ukrainian economy is having difficulties with its balance of payments and currency reserves. Consequently, President Kuchma put forward a plan to repay part of his country's debt to Turkmenistan with commodities, at prices approved by the Turkmen government. The Turkmen government rejected this plan. Relations between the countries remain cordial enough, however, that the two sides are continuing to discuss collaborating in various bilateral projects, including the construction of a salt plant in western Turkmenistan (in the town of Gaurdak), the reconstruction of compressor stations, and building a bridge across the Amu Darya River in eastern Turkmenistan. (Interfax, 1537 GMT, 1 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-275)
Protocol signed with Turkmen-Turkish gas pipeline project
On 5 October Turkmenistan's Minister of State Energy Yolly Gurbanmuradov and Turkey's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Cumhur Ersumer signed a protocol in Ankara on their countries' collaboration in a "Turkmen-Turkish-European Natural Gas Pipeline via the Caspian Sea and the Selling of Turkmen Natural Gas to Turkey." The protocol details the steps to be taken in preparing the official agreement on this project, which was scheduled to be finalized on 20 October in Ashgabat. (Anatolia, 1422 GMT, 5 Oct 98; FBIS-WEU-98-278)
Amnesty granted to prisoners on 50th anniversary of Ashgabat earthquake
In order to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the earthquake which destroyed much of Ashgabat, President Niazov decreed an amnesty on 6 October, according to which approximately 8,000 prisoners who were being held while under investigation were to be released. The amnesty included approximately 800 women, 180 minors, World War II veterans, men over the age of 60, cancer and tuberculosis patients, anyone having received a suspended sentence, people with less than one year left to serve, people sentenced to ten years or less for an unpremeditated crime, and those who received sentences of five years or less for a premeditated crime. Prisoners who were convicted on murder, terrorism, high treason, abuse of power or on drug-related charges were not affected by the amnesty, however. (Interfax, 1513 GMT, 7 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-280)
by Monika Shepherd
Same song, different singer
The man who replaced Yevgeni Primakov as Russia's foreign minister demonstrated (as if there were any doubt) that Russia's foreign policy would not soften with Primakov's ascension to prime minister. In an address to the United Nations General Assembly on 22 September, Igor Ivanov warned that "Russia cannot and will not remain indifferent to the fate of hundreds of thousands of Russian-speaking citizens subjected to harsh repressive measures in Latvia and Estonia." (General Assembly, 53rd session, 9th plenary meeting, 22 September 1998; Official records of the United Nations, A/53/PV.9) Alas, no concrete examples of repression sprang to Mr. Ivanov's mind. Indrek Tarand, of the Estonian foreign ministry, later reminded the assembly that the UN and the Council of Europe had both decided to end their monitoring programs in Estonia because there was no evidence of human rights violations. (Baltic News Service Daily Report, 1500 GMT, 26 Sep 98)
Two weeks after his trip to New York, Ivanov repeated another of Primakov's favorite sentiments, concerning NATO expansion. "There is a red line which we regard as a cardinal change directly connected with our security," Ivanov told reporters for the Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia. "This line goes along the border of the former Soviet Union, including the Baltic states." (Interfax, 1106 GMT, 8 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-282)
Goodbye, Mr. Ilves
After months of media speculation as to whether he would leave his post, and encouragement to do so by his political opponents, Estonian Foreign Minister Toomas Hendrik Ilves presented his resignation to Prime Minister Mart Siimann on 30 September. (Baltic News Service Daily Report, 1000 GMT, 30 Sep 98) "[F]oreign policy is less and less of a priority for many political forces, especially for the ones in government. ... For populist reasons, foreign policy decisions are not being made any more.... Looking at recent attacks by leading politicians in the government coalition on Estonia's foreign policy and the Estonian Foreign Ministry, I can only conclude this is happening only because of my party alignment," Ilves explained. (Radio Tallinn Network, 0900 GMT, 30 Sep 98; FBIS-SOV-98-273) While he generally does not comment on ministerial shufflings, President Lennart Meri told reporters that he thought Ilves' resignation was the right step, given the impossibility of serving simultaneously in opposition, as party chairman, and in government, as minister. (Estonian Television Network, 1800 GMT, 30 Sep 98; FBIS-SOV-98-273)
In-country voters show more flexibility that their counterparts abroad
Apparently eligible voters living outside Latvia are less flexible about citizenship issues than their counterparts inside the country. According to preliminary reports, only one-sixth of the 30,000 eligible voters living abroad participated in the 3 October polling; however, a large majority (65 percent) of that 5,000 rejected the proposed amendments to the citizenship law and supported the conservative and nationalist Union For the Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK (47 percent) that had forced the referendum on the amendments. Clearly these voters did not serve as a reliable indicator for either the parliamentary elections or for the fate of the referendum, which did pass in the end. Continuing the trend of backing conservative parties, voters abroad also supported the People's Party (26 percent), while Latvia's Way garnered 11 percent. (Baltic News Service, 1551 GMT, 7 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-280). As reported in the previous Digest, preliminary results indicate that voters in Latvia were more broad-based in their political support. In fact, no segment of the political spectrum received a clear mandate, and a coalition government appears to be the only viable solution. With proportional representation, the Saeima will be almost evenly divided. Right-center groups received 42.48 percent of the votes (The People's Party, 20.93 percent, For the Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK, 14.15 percent, and the left-of-center New Party, 7.4 percent), while their opponents received 45.32 percent: Latvian Way Union garnered 18.22 percent, and will be accompanied by members of the People's Harmony Party (14.23 percent) and the Latvian Social Democratic Union (12.87 percent). (Radio Riga Network, 1100 GMT, 4 Oct 98; FBIS-SOV-98-277)
by Kate Martin


text:
M29/245, M29/246. Minotaur 100%.
The Saints project is located some 65 km north-west of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia (Figure 1).
Two mining licences cover 20 square km and offer both brownfield and greenfield Nickel prospectivity, with the Saints deposits within the tenement boundaries (Figure 2).
In May 2017, Minotaur published a maiden mineral resource estimate for the Saints Nickel deposit. For details click here.
Nickel Deposits
Figure 1. Location of the Saints tenements.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
2017 Jr/Sr Prom!
April 24, 2017
Filed under News, Student Life
Hang on for a minute...we're trying to find some more stories you might like.
Email This Story
Break out the dancing shoes and get ready for night under the stars! Page High School's senior and junior prom will be held on Saturday April 29th from 8pm to 12 am at The Terrace at the Greensboro Coliseum. At 10:30 the doors will be closed, so be sure to arrive prior to 10:30! Tickets are being sold in the commons area all three lunch Monday, April 24th until Friday, April 25th for $45. This year's theme is A Starry Night, with decorations so beautiful you won't want to miss out! The dress code for Prom will be shown on the TVS this week, so be sure to make sure your attire is appropriate! Following the homeroom held on Friday the nominees from Prom Prince and Princess and Prom King and Queen will be crowned as their title with the most votes. If you are a junior or senior be sure to make it out to a night full of dancing beneath the stars, that will be a night to remember!! All attendees will be gifted a surprise gift from the class of 2017!


text:
rikkustarr wrote: »If I did this, would I be allowed to use my texture in my demo reel? I tried sending this question to you in a private message, but it wouldn't let me. :]
And if you have any models that you would let me use, please let me know.
Thank you!
A lot of folks used to do this. As a rule of thumb, you should contact the artist and let them know you'd like to use it as a show piece - as well as clearly indicating on the sheet that you did not create the model. To reinforce your abilities to texture, you could also texture it 3-4 times, with each being a different representation of the model, showing your diversity in designs and ability to change a low poly mesh into multiple things (efficiency).
In "the days old," this was much more common, as may people would post SDK threads, and the community would texture them. Recently, with the upsurge of high poly modelling and normal maps, this has dwindled off, as the design is handled by the modeller instead of a texture artist creating their creative take on the model.
You could peruse THIS THREAD for other user's SDKs if you're looking for more practice.
Cap Hotkill wrote: »Hi, Everyone! My name is Daniel, I've been a long time lurker (Shame on me) but now I decided to join this great community and participate in this fun stuff!
Still WIP, and Its my first Painted attempt in a 3D model, (I only used to do normal mapped stuff. =P)
JohnnySix: I don't know the answer to that. It comes up fuzzy for me as well, that's why I brought mine into Marmoset.


text:
Download EBOOK SystemC: From the Ground Up 2010 PDF for free
Category: Computing
The author of the book: David C. Black
Format files: PDF, EPUB, TXT, DOCX
The size of the: 6.62 MB
Language: English
Edition: Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
Date of issue: 23 August 2014
Description of the book "SystemC: From the Ground Up 2010":SystemC provides a robust set of extensions to the C++ language that enables rapid development of complex models of hardware and software systems. The authors focus on practical use of the language for modeling real systems, showing: * A step-by-step build-up of syntax * Code examples for each concept * Over 8000 lines of downloadable code examples * Updates to reflect the SystemC standard, IEEE 1666 * Why features are as they are * Many resource references * How SystemC fits into an ESL methodology This new edition of an industry best seller is updated to reflect the standardization of SystemC as IEEE 1666 and other improvements that PDF reflect feedback from readers of the first edition. The wide ranging feedback also include suggestions from editors of the Japanese and Korean language translations, professors and students, and computer engineers from a broad industrial and geographical spectrum, all who have successfully used the first edition. New chapters have been added on the SystemC Verification Library and the Transaction Level Modeling, and proposed changes to the current SystemC standard. David Black and Jack Donovan, well known consultants in the EDA industry, have teamed with Bill Bunton and Anna Keist, experienced SystemC modeling engineers, to write the second edition of ePub this highly popular classic. As a team the authors bring over 100 years of ASIC and system design experience together to make a very readable introduction to SystemC.
Reviews of the SystemC: From the Ground Up 2010Thus far in regards to the publication we now have SystemC: From the Ground Up 2010 feedback end users have never yet left his or her report on the game, or otherwise make out the print nevertheless. Yet, if you have currently read this guide and you're simply wanting to produce the discoveries well require you to spend your time to exit a review on our website (we can publish the two positive and negative testimonials). Basically, "freedom involving speech" Many of us completely recognized. The feedback to book SystemC: From the Ground Up 2010 : different readers are able to make a decision in regards to publication. These kinds of assistance can make all of us additional United!
David C. BlackHowever, at present we really do not have info on this designer David C. Black. Even so, we might appreciate in case you have virtually any details about this, and are also willing to present this. Mail that to us! We also have every one of the verify, if all the details are generally real, we are going to distribute on the web page. It is vital for individuals that most true in relation to David C. Black. Many of us thank you upfront internet marketing ready to head to meet up with all of us!
Download EBOOK SystemC: From the Ground Up 2010 for free
|Download PDF:
|Download ePUB:
|Download TXT:
|Download DOCX:


text:
Aman Yadav
MAET Program Director
Dr. Aman Yadav is an Associate Professor in the College of Education at Michigan State University. Aman's research focuses on professional development for teachers to teach computational thinking and computer science in K-12 classrooms. He teaches courses on educational technology, research methodology, technology & leadership, and computing education at the undergraduate and graduate level. Over the last decade, Aman has led professional development workshops at the national and international level to engage teachers in embedding computing ideas and technology in the classroom. He serves on the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) executive board of directors. You can find out more about Aman on his website.
Candace Marcotte
MAET Program Coordinator
Candace is a curious learner, looking to the world to inspire her inquisitive nature. Currently, Candace is an MAET Program Coordinator and an instructor for the MSU-WIPRO STEM & Leadership Teaching Fellowship. Her work in K-12 education includes teaching 6th grade ELA and science in Michigan and serving as a 1:1 Technology Facilitator in Illinois. Candace is a graduate of the MAET Overseas Cohort and has been teaching online for the MAET program since 2013. Education and technology are Candace's game and she is always looking forward to growing as a digital and global citizen.
Liz Boltz
MAET Program Coordinator
In addition to her role as an MAET Program Coordinator, Liz is a doctoral student in Michigan State University's Educational Psychology & Educational Technology program, where she researches videogames for learning. She has been an instructor for the Master of Arts in Educational Technology program since 2013. Before coming to MSU, she managed the web presence for a private university in Ohio. She makes music, websites, art, and games.
Angelica Kim is an academic advisor for the Master of Educational Technology program. Angelica has a Master's in Social Work, paired with a Bachelor's degree in Business – Corporate Finance. Angelica's most unique job experience was working with a public figure and sending Oprah personal email. Her 'dirtiest job' was working on a dairy farm. With this wide variation in work experience, she feels prepared for whatever student advising will bring. She enjoys meeting, talking with, and helping people, so advising is a great fit for her. As an advisor she helps the students clarify the process of establishing their academic goals and develop an educational plan to realize those goals.
Maria Serrato
Program Assistant
As Program Assistant, Maria is often be the first point of contact for students interested in the MAET and graduate certificate programs. She also handles student inquiries and admissions. Maria is the proud mother of two beautiful daughters and has been a part of the East Lansing community since coming to Michigan State in the Fall of 1999. She has served as a Crisis Intervention Counselor, Community Educator, Assistant Coordinator for MSU's Annual Dia de la Mujer Conference, and has recently started Capital Area Latina Youth (CALY), a program that fosters empowerment, education, cultural advancement, and leadership among Latina youth in grades 4-12.


text:
Growth to Remain Torrid in China
Slower Foreign Flows To the Factory Sector Won't Temper GDP
BEIJING -- Foreign investment in China's manufacturing sector is stagnating, but that appears unlikely to affect the pace of the country's economic expansion.
A prominent government think tank said yesterday that growth is continuing to accelerate and called for further steps to slow the economy.
China's gross domestic product likely grew 10.4%...


text:
The Hangover Part II WB Promo Alan's Yellow Lab Dog T Shirt XL
This listing is for one new:
The Hangover Part II
WB Promo
Alan's Yellow Lab DogMovie Opening May 26, 2011 "It's Funny In Any Language" Commemorative T Shirt XL @Warner Bros. Ent. Not available in stores Given out by Warner Brothers to celebrate The Hangover Part II movie opening CONDITION: Brand NEW, Never WornSIZE: Men's Extra Large (XL)
COLOR: Light Yellow MATERIAL: 100% Preshrunk CottonMANUFACTURER: Delta ApparelSTYLE: Delta Pro Weight
Features:- short set-in sleeves with seamless rib knit collar
- taped neck and shoulders seams for durability- two-needle hemmed sleeves & bottom won't unravel
Background Re Design for This T Shirt:
Zach Galifianakis seems to have been styled by Kansas 62-year-old designer Rita Reed. Zach Galifianakis decided to wear the doggy inspired T-shirt as his silly character Alan throughout his new movie 'The Hangover: Part II'.
According to The Kansas City Star, even though Rita Reed had never heard of the 'Hangover' movies, the movie star had decided to wear her T-shirt design over many others. Reed had previously created Friskybizpet Designs in her retirement, taking pictures of her own and friends' pets, placing them onto clothing and gift items.
Reed claims: 'I received a call from Warner Brothers saying that Zach had picked my T-shirt, and they asked if I would be willing to let them use it. I wasn't really quite sure what type of movie it was going to be, but I didn't hesitate in giving them permission'. The sunny yellow t-shirt with a featuring Labrador Retriever already has its own Facebook page, 'Hangover 2 Alan's Yellow Dog Shirt', whilst Urban Outfitters has purchased 16,000 of the shirts to sell in stores.
The Hangover Part II Movie Opening Commemorative T Shirt makes a great collectible gift for yourself or any movie collector.
Please be sure to read listing carefully, thoroughly, and completely and to ask questions before bidding so you are completely satisfied with your purchase.
This listing includes free shipping to USA by USPS First Class Mail with delivery confirmation.


text:
Horizon Fitness Elite T9 Treadmill
(We only sell this treadmill in OR and WA)
Horizon Fitness Elite T9 Treadmill
Contact us for availability and delivery rates!
**we hate spam** (privacy policy) (best price guarantee)
When you're ready for high speeds and tough workouts, you're ready for the Elite T9. You'll quickly find your rhythm with our responsive motor that recalibrates with every step or speed change. And if you ever need an escape from the grind of regular exercise, you'll love the Virtual Active technology that plays stunning forward-motion |video – synced with your workout – right on your console.
Meet your calorie goals with ViaFit connectivity, which automatically feeds your workouts into popular tracking and fitness apps
Feather Light™ Folding Frame
Running area 153 x 51 cm / 60" x 20" + Infinity Belt™
Cushioning Variable Response Cushioning™
Incline range 0 – 15%
Speed range 0.8 – 20 km/h / 0.5 – 12 mph
Motor 2.75 CHP Johnson Drive™ System
Display 10" touchscreen
Workout feedback: Time, distance, incline, speed, pace, calories, heart rate,
clock, date
Programs: Workout tracking calendar + 44 programs including: manual, 9 calorie, 13 distance, 4 interval, 3 performance, 10 step, 2 Virtual Active™, 2 custom
Wi-Fi enabled ViaFit™ Connectivity
Heart rate Contact grips and Polar® wireless receiver
Extras: Free Polar® chest strap, Passport Ready™, Virtual Active™ Integrated, Energy Saver™ Mode, built-in speakers, reading rack, fan, bottle holder, workout calendar
Dimensions (L x W x H) 194 x 90 x 152 cm / 77" x 36" x 60"
Folded Dimensions (L x W x H) 112 x 89 x 174 cm / 44" x 36" x 69"
Product weight 105 kg / 232 lbs.
User weight capacity 159 kg / 350 lbs.lbs.
Print | Bookmark
Page |
Latest Price - Contact Us!
Fitness Shop | Home
Equipment | Commercial
Equipment | Used Equipment | Service Department
| Locations | Company
| Specials | Contact Us
| Exercise
Bikes | Ellipticals
| Steppers
| Home Gyms | Employment Opportunities
Serving the Bellevue, Seattle, Lynnwood, Tacoma, Beaverton and Portland
metropolitan areas since 1979.
site by
image web design


text: "The markets have changed," Jim Cramer told the viewers of his "Mad Money" TV show Tuesday. "The big-money managers and hedge funds are now desperate to get back in." Cramer said it's not surprising that there was profit taking today after yesterday's monster move. But behind the scenes, he said, the markets are rapidly shifting gears as the big money mutual funds and hedge funds are struggling to get long.


text:
New User | Forgot Password
For financial advisors looking for FDIC-insured, high-yield financial solutions on behalf of their clients, BofI Advisor offers a comprehensive mix of products, competitive rates, and custom-tailored services. With BofI Advisor, you can feel confident you've made a smart decision.
BofI Advisor is a subsidiary of BofI Federal Bank. BofI Holding, Inc. (NASDAQ: BOFI) is the holding company for BofI Federal Bank, a nationwide branchless bank that provides highly competitive consumer and business deposit products to its customers. With approximately $10.0 billion in assets, BofI Federal Bank provides innovative checking, money market, savings, and lending products and services to our personal and business banking customers throughout the United States.
In 2016, BofI Holding, Inc. was named SNL Financial's Best of the Biggest Public Thrifts for the fourth consecutive year. BofI Holding, Inc.'s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and is a component of the Russell 3000 Index. For more information on BofI Holding, please visit www.bofiholding.com.
BofI Advisor products offer an intelligent combination of convenience, flexibility, and accessibility. Our competitive returns are available to you through your financial advisor.
BofI Advisor is a model of stability and security. Our innovative FDIC-insured financial products are always a smart decision.
BofI Advisor customer service is never more than a click or call away. Real people, really available.


text:
5965 Sprinkle Road #A
Portage, Michigan 49002
Chris J. Secaur773.453.5351
$8 / sq. ft.
Square Footage9,200
For Sale or Lease - Highly visible retail strip center. Extremely well constructed. Near busy industrial center of Portage.
Full Features
Lot Size: 1.81 acres - 78,844 square feet
Built: 1987
Parking Spaces: 100
Cooling System: Central
Stories: 1.00
Roof: Built Up Stone
Ceiling Height: 10
Potential Use: Other, Retail
Zoning: B-3 General Bus
Rentable Square Feet: 8,200
Building Square Feet: 9,200
Retail Square Feet: 9,200
Taxes & Assessments
Taxes: $0
Listing Office: Callander Commercial
Disclaimer: The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity Program of SWMRIC, LLC. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than @properties are marked with the Broker Reciprocity thumbnail logo and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing brokers.
Nearby Public Transportation
No Nearby Public Transportation Found


text:
On to the questions now for post-SRT:
I would say it's the last book I read for this challenge, A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink. Even though I have recently developed a passion for fiction, I am still a big fan of self-development books. See my review here. This book offers a different of way of thinking and introduces me to lots of new materials in developing this new mind.
What book could you have done without?
I am happy to say that I have enjoyed ALL the eight books I have selected for this challenge. How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler took me longer than usual to finish, but I have learned new things related to the art of reading from this 1940 classic.
Did you try out a new author this spring? If so, which one, and will you be reading that author again?
I got acquainted with E.B. White and his delightful story for children, Charlotte's Web. I went on to get a book he helped to revise entitled The Elements of Style which was originally written by his professor, William Strunk Jr. I will definitely be reading White again, especially Stuart Little (1945) and The Trumpet of the Swan (1970).
If there were books you didn't finish, tell us why? Did you run out of time? Realize those books weren't worth it?
I finished my selection one month ahead of time...
What did you learn -- about anything -- through this challenge?
I learned that there are many bookaholics out there in the blogosphere, and as a result of that, made new friends. Through my reading, I was also introduced to many new materials and went on to get them. I also get lots of practice in writing reviews and enjoyed reading the reviews of other participants.
What was the best part of the Spring Reading Thing?
Read, read and more reading! Please also see the answer before this question.
Would you be interested in participating in another reading challenge this fall?


text:
Paint and coatings are part of our everyday lives and range from the paint on the walls of our home to the cars we drive to the file cabinets in our office, and more. The Cary Company carries a wide variety of raw materials and specialty chemicals for the paint and coatings industry. We have you covered with extenders and additives, binders, resins and pigments for all your paint and coatings needs. These products help improve the appearance and quality of the paint and coatings.
MAZCOL BLUE 151 - Heat Stable Alpha Blue (PB 15:1)Part #: S-MAZCOLBLUE151
MAZCOL BLUE 151 K5 - Solvent Stable Alpha Blue (PB 15:1)Part #: S-MAZCOLBLUE151K5
MAZCOL BLUE 152 - Non Flocculating Beta Blue (PB 15:2)Part #: S-MAZCOLBLUE152
MAZCOL BLUE 153 - Beta Blue (PB 15:3)Part #: S-MAZCOLBLUE153
MAZCOL BLUE 154 - Non Flocculating Beta Blue (PB 15:4)Part #: S-MAZCOLBLUE154
MAZCOL GREEN 706 - Pigment Green 7 - (PG 7)Part #: S-MAZCOLGREEN706


text:
The Paddock Merlot
- Brand: The Paddock
- Product Code: 14PAD3B
- Availability: In Stock
Rich, rounded and shows a firm tannin finish.
The Paddock wines are named after the paddock fences which are a regular feature dotted across the rolling landscape of southern Australia.
These classic Australian single varietals deliver easily accessible and fruity wines, popular with many Australian wine drinkers and great for all occasions and keenly priced too!
Grapes: 100% Merlot
Region: Australia / South Eastern Australia / Murray Darling
Maker: The Paddock
Notes: This wine has a deep red, ruby colour with a subtle lifted violet bouquet with vanilla oak adding to the complexity. The palate is rich, rounded and shows a firm tannin finish.
Serve: At 16-18c with slow cooked beef, Game, Sausages
Tags: The Paddock Merlot


text:
I was always a believer that once a friend, always a friend. But, the older I get, the more I realise that letting a person go is ok and can be a true learning.
Balanced relationships
Being there for those you care about comes naturally to most human beings, but an imbalance in any relationship can be particularly draining, especially if you are the person who's giving all the time.
So, here's a little test. Think about a current friendship or relationship that is testing for you. If more than two of the below are factors in your relationship, then you have every right to have an honest and diplomatic conversation about what's upsetting you. If things don't change, and you've set reasonable boundaries you have every right to walk away.
- Do they respect your time, or expect you to drop your life and work to fit in with them?
- Do they support you in your career and dreams as equally as you support them?
- When you catch up, is it all about them or do they ask you how you are and what you've been up to?
- Are they there for you when you truly need them?
- Are you putting more into the relationship than they are?
- Does something about their character and authenticity just feel off?
Ultimately, when a friendship doesn't make you feel good, and you've tried to make a shift with no positive outcome, then it's time to let go. No huge ultimatum is required, or some big song or dance. It's ok just to let that person drift away.
Although this isn't always easy, when we let go of the people who aren't right for us, it opens us up to new opportunities and brings new people into our lives.
There's a reason for everything and always a learning
When I think about some of my friendships and relationships that haven't worked or someone's true character has come out, there's always a positive I've taken away from the experience. They may well have taught me something interesting or have opened me up to something new. Perhaps they've moved me in a direction that will have an impact in my future life. A direction I won't fully understand until later down the line.
I know for a fact, I wouldn't be where I am now or doing what I'm doing now had I not meet the first guy I fell in love with. Yes, I naively moved from my hometown to London to be near him (slightly cringy looking back!), but had I not been through that experience I know I would be in a very different place in my life right now.
Take a moment to think about all the people who are no longer in your life, then think of at least one positive thing you can take from that experience.
I think you'll agree, hindsight is a wonderful thing.


text:
Source: http://ruffledblog.com/modern-meets-rustic-wedding-in-dallas/
Bethany Erin Photography and Bows and Arrows together means magic is on the way, and we've got the images to prove it. Caitlin and Matt's Dallas wedding is a shining example of how to blend a bride and groom's individual styles into a thing of cohesive beauty, thanks in large part to Sweet Pea Events. […]… Read More
To stay updated with the latest information in the b
wedding planning industry to may check out our how to plan a wedding latest news. On the other hand if you're beginning wedding planning and desire to begin planning a wedding now get a copy of our how to plan the prefect wedding ebook.
People are getting marriage everyday not because they are pressured but because they want to. Getting married is exciting to both the bride and the groom themselves. They both have been awaiting almost their whole lives for the day they are joined together as 1 with their loved 1.
The marriage day is one of the very special days for couples, and brides want to appear like angels on their special day. And grooms on the other side are content as well nevertheless they are most concerned about your day going as planned to allow them to start their long lives with their God given wife.
Having a wonderful wedding goes to planning well. Some people enjoy planning their own wedding whilst others just prefer to enjoy their special day and leave all the planning to an expert. This doesn't matter who programs the wedding but one has to be sure that they do it in advance to avoid you missing the deadline day. Trust me you do not want last minute preparations because they can be a disaster.
Many couples start planning for their big day a yr before, not that every day they are preparing for the marriage but things like the venue need to be prepared well in advance. It's very difficult to find a location in the last minute reason being they most probably are booked by somebody else.
When planning your wedding day you must keep a big note book to write down all the things you need to organize for your wedding ceremony. You have to write down venues, contact details, the costs, dates and time. All of this should be written in one notepad so that you do not lose some information. Also be sure to put your notepad in a safe place so that you don't lose it. It wouldn't be considered a bad idea to have a backup of the notes.
Noting down what you just have to do may seem to be nerve-racking for some individuals but it's the best way of making sure you've organized everything for your personal day. The chances of you forgetting something important will be un-likely because you will get it all written down. Did you remember to purchase the cake?
Keeping a set of those things you have to do means you will have a clear record of the things you have done and the tasks you've still got to do. Expert wedding planners also use a checklist to assists them organize a perfect wedding ceremony.


text:
The Book: Stop or Start Habits with Outcome Visioning
If you want to change your life, then this new book has a proven process and Outcome Visioning so you can live the life you want. It offers these key benefits to help with changing bad habits and developing good habits.
- A practical, step-by-step guide that can be read in one or two sittings
- Outcome Visioning that captures the power of meditation, hypnosis, affirmations, and creative visualization for motivation
- Focus on 17 areas of habits, including healthy eating, fitness, relationships, money management, positive parenting, separation and divorce, and dating
- Easy-to-follow program that takes only 10 to 15 minutes a day


text:
Building your BMPs
When assembling the BMPs:-
- The tracks should slot into the main hull and the metal track guards are then fitted over the top. It might be necessary to bend the track guards slightly to fit the snugly to the body.
- On the BMP 2 there are three smoke dischargers on each side of the turret. Three pairs of dischargers are provided and one pair should be fitted to each side of the turret. The last pair should be separated with one discharger going on each side of the turret.
- The other metal additions are placed on the turret as shown below
BMP 1 metal fittings
BMP 2 Metal fittings


text:
Katerina Body Suit
Tatu Couture retro style high waisted brief, featuring a Chantilly lace front panel with nude effect cut out revealing a locket and chain illusion tattoo.
- Open mesh and lattice design
- Futuristics lines
- Popper opening in the gusset
- Luxurious high quality fabric
Signature look body suit featuring a graphic open lattice mesh design, revealing tantalising flashes of skin in this sexy, sensual design by Tatu Couture. The combination of translucent mesh and lattice work against the futuristic lines of the solid panels give this bodysuit a real wow factor.
This item is supplied in a beautiful signature gift box at no extra cost.
Our tip – Wear the Katerina body suit in the boudoir as a sexy underwear piece or be daring and wear it as outerwear!
Additional information
There are no reviews yet.
Shipping & Delivery.
If your ordered items are in stock locally we ship next working day. If on back order normally delivery time is approximately 5 working days.
Returns: - For hygienic reasons we do not accept returns or exchanges of Pearl thongs Pearl Briefs or bodys. Please check our Size Guide (above) before placing your order. For all other returns please complete our returns form via the link in the footer of this page.


text:
Your headshot should do much more than just show how good you look — it should show people who you are. In our session, I collaborate with you to bring out your essence in the images we create together. The result? Vibrant, meaningful portraits of you — that just happen to be your headshots, too.
Packages start at $300 for a 90-minute session with up to three different looks. Email me for complete rates and other information. I'm looking forward to working with you!


text:
Latest news
Tag / event
Tour Provincial Finland in Helsinki Food Event – Top It Off with Night of the Arts
Press Releases • May 15, 2013 08:26 BST
The Delicacies of Finland local food event showcases the country's provincial flavours in the centre of Helsinki at the end of August. Organized in conjunction with the Syystober Beer Festival, and coinciding with the Helsinki Festival, this is the weekend to book a tasty and cultural city break in Helsinki.
World Design Capital Helsinki: Event Updates
Press Releases • May 16, 2012 12:35 BST
The offerings get better and better as the summer draws near. Space age summer house? Check out these top picks!


text:
Jul 19, 2017
CIRENCESTER – Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has strengthened its press office with the appointment of Alan McDonald as Press Fleet & Brand Ambassador Relationship Manager and Rebecca Murley as Social Media & PR Executive.
The development follows the appointment earlier this year of Amanda Gibson as the brand's Press & Public Relations Manager.
Alan steps into his new role after a number of years heading up the brand's dealer PR operation. During his near 21-year career at Mitsubishi Motors in the UK he has also fulfilled various marketing roles, spanning after sales to dealer support.
He now takes responsibility for the press vehicle fleet, which includes the brand's ever-growing collection of heritage vehicles, and managing the relationships with Mitsubishi Motors in the UK brand ambassadors. He will also have a pivotal role in special vehicle projects, such as the recent Mitsubishi 'Desert Warrior' L200 that has been built by the well-known motoring journalist, Tom Ford in conjunction with Top Gear magazine.
Alan said: "It's a very exciting and busy time for Mitsubishi Motors in the UK and having a focus on our increasing brand ambassador activity is something that will be especially rewarding. With this year being our 100th anniversary, the heritage fleet also provides some very exciting opportunities and we're seeing a significant rise in interest in our classic vehicles."
Rebecca brings over three years' marketing experience to her new role. As well as supporting her press office colleagues, she takes responsibility for maintaining and growing the brand's social media channels, including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
On her appointment, Rebecca said: "I'm delighted to join the team and am looking forward to working with such a well-known brand. There's fantastic potential to generate exciting content that people can really engage with."
Toby Marshall, Director of Sales & Marketing, Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, said: "These appointments will significantly enhance our press office operation. Alan and Rebecca have a real passion for the brand and with them each having a specific focus, we're looking forward to seeing them having a very positive impact on our press and public relations activity."
Mitsubishi Motors in the UK Press Office
Conor Twomey – General Manager Press, PR & Events - firstname.lastname@example.com 01285 647631
Amanda Gibson – Press & Public Relations Manager - email@example.com 01285 647157
Alan McDonald – Press Fleet & Brand Ambassador Relationship Manager - email@example.com 01285 647290
Rebecca Murley – Social Media & PR Executive – email@example.com 01285 647200
Mitsubishi Motors built its first cars in 1917 and over the past century has established a reputation for tough, reliable and extremely capable vehicles, particularly in terms of all-terrain and 4X4 vehicles such as the Mitsubishi Shogun and L200 pickup. In 2014 it launched the game-changing Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV which is not only the UK's best-selling plug-in hybrid vehicle, it also remains the most advanced and efficient vehicle in its class. For more details visit www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk


text:
Sometimes everything that comes along with having diabetes can be challenging. From keeping a record of your numbers and learning how to understand how certain daily activities can affect those numbers.
Wouldn't it be nice to have a device that can allow you to discover more about your diabetes, while putting this information conveniently on your phone?
Common Diabetes Management Challenges
Let's face it, managing diabetes is no walk in the park. It can be challenging and difficult at times. But trying to find some normalcy in this life, an easier way of managing everything that comes along with having diabetes.
Do you have some of these common diabetes challenges?
- Keeping Yourself Organized
- Wasting Test Strips
- Knowing if You're Reaching Your Target
- Receiving Alerts to Highs or Lows
- Keeping Your Care Team Informed
- Understanding More About How Activities and Food Can Affect Your BG
- Learning How to Recognize Trends and Patterns
For further reading:
Smart Diabetes Management
Let's face it, you can pretty much have virtually everything in the palm of your hand… Your phone. So it only makes sense to include diabetes management into this mix. By using smart technology integration with blood glucose data, this blood glucose management system allows you to utilize the Contour Diabetes app to help simplify your diabetes management.
The blood glucose levels which are recorded throughout your day are synced into the system. This valuable information helps you to learn patterns and trends that you may not have otherwise noticed.
So what's so special about the Contour Next One Meter?
Let's take a look….
Superior Accuracy: When put to the test the Contour Next One meter exceeded the standard deviants of accuracy established by the FDA. This helps to provide even closer accuracy to that of laboratory results.
The smartLIGHT: The smartLIGHT feature allows you to know instantly if your BG is within your target range, above or below your target with three colored lights. Yellow: Above Target, Green: In Target, Red: Below Target.
Second-Chance Sample: One thing that usually frustrates most people is when the meter reads that there wasn't enough blood. You get the opportunity instead to reapply even more blood onto the test strip if you did not get enough the first time. This can help to avoid the need for repeat testing.
Event Readings: Record various events like activities, medication or diet information. You can also add in photos, voice memos and even notes so that you can gain a full picture of why your numbers might not be where you want them to be.
Emergency Contact: One of the best features of the Contour Next One meter is its ability to contact someone in case your blood glucose drops too low. Not only does it give you the option to call someone but if also offers a suggestion on how to treat the current low so that it comes back up. The treatment suggestion is to consume (4) glucose tablets and half a glass of juice.
Another nice feature is that when you recheck your blood glucose after the previous low, if you are not yet within a 'safe' or target range number you will receive an alert message on your app that says if your blood sugar is improving yet, or if it still is considered to be critically low. You then receive the option to set a reminder test.
The critically low and reminder feature is like having a friend right there to help you work through a low blood glucose until it's at a safer level.
For more reviews and analysis of diabetes products read the following:
Contour Diabetes App Features
The Contour Next One meter is equipped with Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) connectivity which allows you to connect wirelessly to smart devices. This allows you to utilize the additional features of the Contour Diabetes app on your smartphone or mobile device.
smartALERTS: You can establish your target range and your smartALERTS will let you know when your blood glucose has hit a level that is too high or one that is too low.
Report Share: Share your blood glucose reports easily with your diabetes care team. The benefit of this feature is you don't have to wait for your next appointment to do so. If you notice trends and think things need adjusted, you can share this important data with them immediately so that they can take a look and determine if anything needs changed.
Contour Cloud Account
When you first open up the Contour Diabetes app you will be asked to create a Contour Cloud account. This will help to make sure your important data is always kept safe and backed up. Having a Contour Cloud account will also allow you to access your data from any compatible device.
Click here to order it today on Amazon.com
Final Thought
If you are looking for a way to more effectively manage your diabetes, the Contour Next One meter might be just the one thing you need. Having the ability to connect all your important data to the mobile app on your phone makes it even easier to share this data with your diabetes care team.
One of the biggest complaints I've always had about some of the meters we used is the number of strips that we end up wasting due to frequent errors. The second chance sampling of this meter is a wonderful feature that will help save on your monthly diabetes costs.